DPP identifies key trends from CES 2017

The Digital Production Partnership (DPP) has published its survey report on the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and revealed a technology industry trying to harness voice control and artificial intelligence to make consumers love its products.

The report provides unique insight into the famous technology show by analysing not only the show itself, but how it relates to previous CES events. The report was enabled by global IT solutions provider, and DPP Member, Century Link.

“CES is like an annual report on the human relationship with technology,” says DPP Managing Director and author of the report Mark Harrison. “Each year it throws up fascinating new trends. But it is only when you see those trends unfolding over time that you really understand their significance.”

This year the DPP identified six important trends from CES:

1.The Future: Available on Amazon

Amazon appeared from nowhere to push Apple and Google aside and take prime spot as the most prominent company. It was further evidence that platforms are far more influential than products.

2.Autos are driving AI

‘Intelligent’ was tagged to everything. But the real advances in intelligent technology are coming from the car industry – with the potential for huge impacts on areas such as media.

3.Lifestyle TV

This was the first CES where the back of televisions was deemed at least as important as the front. High quality displays are no longer pieces of technology – they are part of the furniture.

4.Immersive submerged

2016 saw enormous hype around VR and AR. But in 2017 these new developments in media will be taking care of business: quietly developing their capability around the applications that always suited them best – gaming and training.

5.CES has a Eureka moment

The start-up zone of CES is known as Eureka Park. And in 2017 it was the place to be. It’s a development that shows how fast technology is moving: by the time products get to the stands of the major players, they’re already yesterday’s idea.

6.Worryingly wealthy

Much of CES is targeted at those with the money to seek solutions for problems the rest of us don’t have. This obsession with the neurotically rich is preventing the industry from identifying the real opportunities for a fully connected world.

“What these six trends show overall,” says Harrison, “is how the historic relationship between broadcaster and the public is being replaced by Internet platform owner and the public. But the sense still remains that nothing beats content when it comes to the affections of consumers. So the big question is whether the Internet giants will come to own those relationships too.”